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Berserk
From the bestselling author of Beast, also available in audio from Bolinda.What happens when there's no-one around to tell you when to stop?When fifteen year old Chas finds a website asking people to write to prisoners on Death Row, he thinks it would be funny to get letters from a murderer. He writes to an inmate, pretending to be his mum. When his new pen-pal is unexpectedly released, Chas' already problematic life spirals horribly out of control...Chas is the younger brother of Stephen, the hero of Ally's debut novel Beast."Written with a verve and confidence that never lets up, this excellent novel well deserves the large audience it should get." - The Independent
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 21, 2015
Spoilers below....
I read a newer edition (2014) with a cover showing a death row chair and letters scattered on the floor.
I haven't read Ally Kennen before but really enjoyed the main character Chas Parsons. He's a bit of a hoon with his mate Devil (Devlin) and he lusts after Devil's sister Lexi. If their father Juby knew that, Chas would be running for his life.
Chas gets into trouble quite a bit but none more so than when he and Devil nick a huge truck and go for a joy ride. They both end up in prison - Chas first then Devil soon after, in the same cell.
Before Chas goes into prison (shaming his Gran and mother), he has taken up a pen-pal on death row in the USA, just for the interest of writing to a killer. He pretends to be his mum because he has to be over 18 to write to the death row prisoners.
Only problem is that the prisoner is released after 9 years and is now in Chas' home town - going out with his mother. He has returned to the UK for revenge.... But is it against Chas or someone else?
Great story except for two jarring coincidences which really were too good to be true.
But the character of Chas was one of the best I've had the pleasure to read all 2014.
I read a newer edition (2014) with a cover showing a death row chair and letters scattered on the floor.
I haven't read Ally Kennen before but really enjoyed the main character Chas Parsons. He's a bit of a hoon with his mate Devil (Devlin) and he lusts after Devil's sister Lexi. If their father Juby knew that, Chas would be running for his life.
Chas gets into trouble quite a bit but none more so than when he and Devil nick a huge truck and go for a joy ride. They both end up in prison - Chas first then Devil soon after, in the same cell.
Before Chas goes into prison (shaming his Gran and mother), he has taken up a pen-pal on death row in the USA, just for the interest of writing to a killer. He pretends to be his mum because he has to be over 18 to write to the death row prisoners.
Only problem is that the prisoner is released after 9 years and is now in Chas' home town - going out with his mother. He has returned to the UK for revenge.... But is it against Chas or someone else?
Great story except for two jarring coincidences which really were too good to be true.
But the character of Chas was one of the best I've had the pleasure to read all 2014.
April 14, 2024
(3.5) enjoyed more than i thought i would
October 23, 2014
Perhaps because I've just read Smart and Fifteen Bones, the prospect of yet another book set in a poor, crime-ridden estate with another dysfunctional family was a little disconcerting. Maybe this book was tainted for me before it even began. I can see that this book would have appeal, particularly for boys, as the main character, Chas, is quite the naughty boy. In fact, he's a bad boy with more than one brush with the law. He's a truant and he hangs with Devlin (aka Devil), the baddest boy in the neighbourhood. In the opening scene, Devil accidentally cuts off Chas's finger while playing knife games late at night under a bridge and that kind of sets the tone for the whole book. Yet, there is still something likeable about Chas and he seems to have it in him to be better than his surroundings, which is what keeps the book readable.
In a moment of true boy dumbness, he decides it would be fun to write to a death-row inmate. Since he is under 18, he has to pretend to be his mother in the letters. He chooses to write to Lenny Darling, since Lenny grew up in his own town. While Chas is detained in a youth facility after a hilarious (but morally dubious) incident where he and Devil steal a grocery lorry and take it for a joyride, Lenny Darling is released on new evidence and shows up in Chas's town. In fact, he has started dating Chas's mother. Then the plot becomes even more sinister and macabre as the true reasons for Lenny's return play out once Chas and Devil are released.
The world of this book is one that on some levels I am unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with. It is world where adults are largely on a benefit or involved in crime. It is a place where no-one seems to have two parents and where a criminal record or family suicide is normal, where school is optional and the strong survive and dominate the weak. Yet, there are still recognisable qualities to life: the desire to find love, the strength of family ties, friendship and the people who still want to live right if they can.
The plot pivots on high levels of co-incidence, which is a weakness. Ultimately, this is a book about consequences, Chas and Devil's car stealing and other juvenile delinquencies do have a price. The section set in the Youth Detention Centre (a prison in any terms) is harsh and does lead Chas to begin questioning his choices. Chas's thoughtless decision to write false letters to a man condemned to death comes back to bite him. HIs brother's death has consequences for his mother and the whole family (even though it happened before the story began). The long-term effects of bullying are also clearly shown in the final section. It also has a redemptive note: at the end, it does seem that Chas has tried to make something more of his life than petty crime.
For me, one of the quietly satisfying moments is when two of Chas's teachers refuse to give up on him and send him school work while he is in prison. To his own complete surprise, he does the work and finds that he is able to do it. This gives him some hope that things can be different. An action that is both a moment of hope and of consequences, but this time, good ones.
In a moment of true boy dumbness, he decides it would be fun to write to a death-row inmate. Since he is under 18, he has to pretend to be his mother in the letters. He chooses to write to Lenny Darling, since Lenny grew up in his own town. While Chas is detained in a youth facility after a hilarious (but morally dubious) incident where he and Devil steal a grocery lorry and take it for a joyride, Lenny Darling is released on new evidence and shows up in Chas's town. In fact, he has started dating Chas's mother. Then the plot becomes even more sinister and macabre as the true reasons for Lenny's return play out once Chas and Devil are released.
The world of this book is one that on some levels I am unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with. It is world where adults are largely on a benefit or involved in crime. It is a place where no-one seems to have two parents and where a criminal record or family suicide is normal, where school is optional and the strong survive and dominate the weak. Yet, there are still recognisable qualities to life: the desire to find love, the strength of family ties, friendship and the people who still want to live right if they can.
The plot pivots on high levels of co-incidence, which is a weakness. Ultimately, this is a book about consequences, Chas and Devil's car stealing and other juvenile delinquencies do have a price. The section set in the Youth Detention Centre (a prison in any terms) is harsh and does lead Chas to begin questioning his choices. Chas's thoughtless decision to write false letters to a man condemned to death comes back to bite him. HIs brother's death has consequences for his mother and the whole family (even though it happened before the story began). The long-term effects of bullying are also clearly shown in the final section. It also has a redemptive note: at the end, it does seem that Chas has tried to make something more of his life than petty crime.
For me, one of the quietly satisfying moments is when two of Chas's teachers refuse to give up on him and send him school work while he is in prison. To his own complete surprise, he does the work and finds that he is able to do it. This gives him some hope that things can be different. An action that is both a moment of hope and of consequences, but this time, good ones.
November 30, 2017
"It was Devil who had my finger..."
This story had a very weird starting, and it continued throughout the book and I thought that was really interesting. Chas gets the tip of his finger chopped off, and I've read a handful of books where an injury is forgotten about within a few pages or it's magically healed but the author didn't do that. I got a sense of time passing with how the finger healed, and it was refreshing to read a book where someone was injured and they actually suffered problems because of it. He had pus, and pain and embarrassment and it made me happy to read about. It was continually mentioned in the book in such a way that it reminded you that this was how the book started, teenagers messing about, and the results had led to this. It was really fascinating.
I did get heavily let down with the book though because although it was a good read, it was nothing like it said it was. The blurb screams: boy writes to killer and danger happens. And with a quote "An absolute nail-biter..." by the Sunday Times on the front, I expected this to be a hardcore book with threatening letters, and somehow the killer escaped, and he's hunting down this kid, and everything is spooky and set in Winter where it gets dark earlier so that it's more of a scarier setting, but it's not. Instead, you have a stuttering man, skinny and pale sending four letters during Summer. Not exactly a nail-biter. This book is 320 pages, and I could easily write it in less than that.
Lenny, the killer, gets acquitted not long after receiving the letters, (WHAT A SHOCKER!) and chases down his school bullies. Only finding one, he dates his school bullies ex and makes her cry a lot. Then traps her child, plus his other bullies children in a crane. Shoots a few bullets, which isn't very realistic in the UK, and then goes after one of the original bullies. The book is told in the perspective of Chas' point of view, and it's very focused on him and his life more than it is on the storyline of the killer coming from America and trying to get revenge or whatever it is he wants. You're practically halfway through when he's let out of youth prison, and it takes a while for things to start happening in relation the Lenny and the justice he wants. I mean, things really get good when they're at the construction site but even that got a bit eye-rolling, in all honesty. I expected more horror from this book.
Seriously, the best bit of this entire book was when Lexi told Lenny she was the daughter of Satan. Although it doesn't make sense as her brother goes by the name Devil and Satan is another name for Devil, right? I don't know, it felt weird reading it. Another bit I liked, was that the author wrote about a mentally ill character, you don't often see them, and if you do they're made to be horrible, but Ally did a great job in making his mother human, and lovable. The way she wrote Chas to be protective of her warmed my heart because people are actually like that in real life and when you get characters that mimic human nature it's flattering.
This story had a very weird starting, and it continued throughout the book and I thought that was really interesting. Chas gets the tip of his finger chopped off, and I've read a handful of books where an injury is forgotten about within a few pages or it's magically healed but the author didn't do that. I got a sense of time passing with how the finger healed, and it was refreshing to read a book where someone was injured and they actually suffered problems because of it. He had pus, and pain and embarrassment and it made me happy to read about. It was continually mentioned in the book in such a way that it reminded you that this was how the book started, teenagers messing about, and the results had led to this. It was really fascinating.
I did get heavily let down with the book though because although it was a good read, it was nothing like it said it was. The blurb screams: boy writes to killer and danger happens. And with a quote "An absolute nail-biter..." by the Sunday Times on the front, I expected this to be a hardcore book with threatening letters, and somehow the killer escaped, and he's hunting down this kid, and everything is spooky and set in Winter where it gets dark earlier so that it's more of a scarier setting, but it's not. Instead, you have a stuttering man, skinny and pale sending four letters during Summer. Not exactly a nail-biter. This book is 320 pages, and I could easily write it in less than that.
Lenny, the killer, gets acquitted not long after receiving the letters, (WHAT A SHOCKER!) and chases down his school bullies. Only finding one, he dates his school bullies ex and makes her cry a lot. Then traps her child, plus his other bullies children in a crane. Shoots a few bullets, which isn't very realistic in the UK, and then goes after one of the original bullies. The book is told in the perspective of Chas' point of view, and it's very focused on him and his life more than it is on the storyline of the killer coming from America and trying to get revenge or whatever it is he wants. You're practically halfway through when he's let out of youth prison, and it takes a while for things to start happening in relation the Lenny and the justice he wants. I mean, things really get good when they're at the construction site but even that got a bit eye-rolling, in all honesty. I expected more horror from this book.
Seriously, the best bit of this entire book was when Lexi told Lenny she was the daughter of Satan. Although it doesn't make sense as her brother goes by the name Devil and Satan is another name for Devil, right? I don't know, it felt weird reading it. Another bit I liked, was that the author wrote about a mentally ill character, you don't often see them, and if you do they're made to be horrible, but Ally did a great job in making his mother human, and lovable. The way she wrote Chas to be protective of her warmed my heart because people are actually like that in real life and when you get characters that mimic human nature it's flattering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2009
This whole thing revolves around the fantasy (turned fact) that the narrator wants a murderer (or someone on death row) as a pen pal. He (the narrator, not the murderer) has a scary friend who calls himself Devil, and while I find that super cheesy, the book isn't really bad. It's all about delinquency, friendship, danger and survival, and that whole part about Devil keeping the narrator's severed finger? Gross, very gross.
Won't recommend it, won't slam it too. You'll probably like it if you're into rebellious teenagers.
Won't recommend it, won't slam it too. You'll probably like it if you're into rebellious teenagers.
October 24, 2011
Nach 23 Seiten aufgehört. Was'n Scheiß.
Hier funktioniert die So-tun-als-wär-ich-in-der-Zielgruppe-Methode auch nicht. Es ist einfach fürchterlich. Wie Numbers von Rachel Ward: 15-jährige kleine Scheißer aus der Unterschicht, die auf Rebell machen.
In den ersten 23 Seiten wurde einem der Blagen eine Fingerspitze abgehackt (weil "die Harten" dieses Spiel mit "flache Hand auf Tisch, andere Person sticht zwischen Finger und wird immer schneller" gespielt haben) und will nicht ins Krankenhaus, weil "der Feind" (aka die Polizei) auf sie aufmerksam werden würde.
Hier funktioniert die So-tun-als-wär-ich-in-der-Zielgruppe-Methode auch nicht. Es ist einfach fürchterlich. Wie Numbers von Rachel Ward: 15-jährige kleine Scheißer aus der Unterschicht, die auf Rebell machen.
In den ersten 23 Seiten wurde einem der Blagen eine Fingerspitze abgehackt (weil "die Harten" dieses Spiel mit "flache Hand auf Tisch, andere Person sticht zwischen Finger und wird immer schneller" gespielt haben) und will nicht ins Krankenhaus, weil "der Feind" (aka die Polizei) auf sie aufmerksam werden würde.
June 8, 2025
"Welcher Fünfzehnjährige kann schon von sich sagen, dass er einen Mörder zum Brieffreund hat?" <\i>S. 21
Mit einem langen Vorstrafenregister ausgestattet und einer Verletzung, die er sich beim "Knife Game" (aka. Fünf Finger Filet) zugezogen hat, macht sich der 15-Jährige Chas Parson bereit für seinen neusten Coup: einen LKW von einer Autobahnraststätte zu klauen.
Nebenbei hat er eine Brieffreundschaft mit einem Mörder angefangen, der kurz vor seiner Todesstrafe steht. Auch wenn ihm das nicht ganz geheuer ist, interessiert es ihn dennoch sehr.
Sein ohnehin schon abenteuerliches Leben nimmt jedoch eine unvorhersehbare Wendung, als der Mörder frei gesprochen wird und bei Chas vor der Haustür steht.
Ally Kennen liefert mit „Völlig durchgeknallt“ einen spannenden Jugendthriller, der von Anfang an fesselt. Die Geschichte ist ungewöhnlich, teils düster, beginnt direkt mit der Fingerverstümmelung und beinhaltet immer mal wieder ein bisschen schwarzen Humor.
Der Protagonist Chas ist ein richtiger kleiner Kotzbrocken, der nur Mist baut - und dabei handelt es sich nicht mehr um "dumme Jungen Streiche". Sowohl seine Oma, als auch seine Mutter sind stets in Sorge, auch wenn sie ihm immer noch irgendwie zur Seite stehen. Außerdem nervte mich der Umgangston von Männern gegenüber Frauen in dieser Geschichte, was nicht nur auf einen Charakter, sondern bei fast allen maskulinen Personen der Fall war.
Mir fehlte im Großteil des Buches ein roter Faden: es war sehr spannend zu lesen, was Chas anstellte und was ihm widerfuhr, doch ich wusste nicht so genau, worauf das alles hinaus läuft. Umso besser fand ich die letzten Kapitel, in denen nochmal richtig an Spannung zugelegt wurde.
Mir gefiel der Gedanke, dass ein Teenager, der selbst oft mit der Polizei, Sozialstunden und dem Jugendknast in Kontakt kommt, eine Brieffreundschaft mit einem Mörder beginnt. Vielleicht wäre es ganz interessant gewesen, wenn dies noch etwas präsenter gewesen wäre und sich daraus eine Entwicklung im Charakter gezeigt hätte.
Zusammenfassend fällt es mir schwer, dies in eine Sternebewertung zu übertragen. Es ist ein gutes Buch, was sich schnell lesen lässt, aber es hat mich auch nicht vom Hocker gehauen und hatte einige kleine Schwachstellen für meinen Geschmack.
Mit einem langen Vorstrafenregister ausgestattet und einer Verletzung, die er sich beim "Knife Game" (aka. Fünf Finger Filet) zugezogen hat, macht sich der 15-Jährige Chas Parson bereit für seinen neusten Coup: einen LKW von einer Autobahnraststätte zu klauen.
Nebenbei hat er eine Brieffreundschaft mit einem Mörder angefangen, der kurz vor seiner Todesstrafe steht. Auch wenn ihm das nicht ganz geheuer ist, interessiert es ihn dennoch sehr.
Sein ohnehin schon abenteuerliches Leben nimmt jedoch eine unvorhersehbare Wendung, als der Mörder frei gesprochen wird und bei Chas vor der Haustür steht.
Ally Kennen liefert mit „Völlig durchgeknallt“ einen spannenden Jugendthriller, der von Anfang an fesselt. Die Geschichte ist ungewöhnlich, teils düster, beginnt direkt mit der Fingerverstümmelung und beinhaltet immer mal wieder ein bisschen schwarzen Humor.
Der Protagonist Chas ist ein richtiger kleiner Kotzbrocken, der nur Mist baut - und dabei handelt es sich nicht mehr um "dumme Jungen Streiche". Sowohl seine Oma, als auch seine Mutter sind stets in Sorge, auch wenn sie ihm immer noch irgendwie zur Seite stehen. Außerdem nervte mich der Umgangston von Männern gegenüber Frauen in dieser Geschichte, was nicht nur auf einen Charakter, sondern bei fast allen maskulinen Personen der Fall war.
Mir fehlte im Großteil des Buches ein roter Faden: es war sehr spannend zu lesen, was Chas anstellte und was ihm widerfuhr, doch ich wusste nicht so genau, worauf das alles hinaus läuft. Umso besser fand ich die letzten Kapitel, in denen nochmal richtig an Spannung zugelegt wurde.
Mir gefiel der Gedanke, dass ein Teenager, der selbst oft mit der Polizei, Sozialstunden und dem Jugendknast in Kontakt kommt, eine Brieffreundschaft mit einem Mörder beginnt. Vielleicht wäre es ganz interessant gewesen, wenn dies noch etwas präsenter gewesen wäre und sich daraus eine Entwicklung im Charakter gezeigt hätte.
Zusammenfassend fällt es mir schwer, dies in eine Sternebewertung zu übertragen. Es ist ein gutes Buch, was sich schnell lesen lässt, aber es hat mich auch nicht vom Hocker gehauen und hatte einige kleine Schwachstellen für meinen Geschmack.
July 19, 2018
12 days later, I finally finished Berserk because I had nothing better to do.
I felt like it was a bit intended for younger reader maybe 14-16. I'm a sucker for a good crime/mystery/thriller, this book didn't have what I wanted. It did surprise me at some points and I did like others. As a whole, Berserk wasn't all that bad. For my first Ally Kennen book, I give it 3.5 stars because I understand that she has better work.
3.5 rating stands for-recommended (sure why not give it a try)
I felt like it was a bit intended for younger reader maybe 14-16. I'm a sucker for a good crime/mystery/thriller, this book didn't have what I wanted. It did surprise me at some points and I did like others. As a whole, Berserk wasn't all that bad. For my first Ally Kennen book, I give it 3.5 stars because I understand that she has better work.
3.5 rating stands for-recommended (sure why not give it a try)
June 8, 2021
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the book, however, I found the part of the book where the main action takes place (towards the end), less interesting than the build up to the story. All motives were revealed at the end, however, there wasn't any tension or mystery along the way, so it didn't feel like what I would expect from a thriller.
Although it wasn't as thrilling as I would have liked, I would still recommend it as it was an interesting read and quite humorous.
I enjoyed the book, however, I found the part of the book where the main action takes place (towards the end), less interesting than the build up to the story. All motives were revealed at the end, however, there wasn't any tension or mystery along the way, so it didn't feel like what I would expect from a thriller.
Although it wasn't as thrilling as I would have liked, I would still recommend it as it was an interesting read and quite humorous.
May 19, 2024
A fun read - written in the same universe as Beast, story centring around the original protagonists brother, which made for some fun call backs. After the clues earlier on in the book, being able to decipher a hidden message at the very end was fun.
Not the best thing I’ve read by a long shot, but not bad at all, just a fun 3*
Not the best thing I’ve read by a long shot, but not bad at all, just a fun 3*
November 2, 2024
3.5-4 stars
Has its strengths and weaknesses
I'd read it again but acknowledge its shortcomings, and the bad guy is a bit predictable. The guy who was on death row suddenly shows up at your door and you're to trust that he's not messing with you, just cause he says so?
The finger being used as a way to frame Chas is farfetched and yet it works
Has its strengths and weaknesses
I'd read it again but acknowledge its shortcomings, and the bad guy is a bit predictable. The guy who was on death row suddenly shows up at your door and you're to trust that he's not messing with you, just cause he says so?
The finger being used as a way to frame Chas is farfetched and yet it works
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2017
This book was a little too nuts for me, because it's essentially about a teenager writing to a man on death row (for fun, like wtf) and that just does horribly wrong. It seemed really unrealistic to me.
January 3, 2018
Well, I definitely didn’t expect this kind of storyline. It has characters that are different from characters I’m used to read so that’s interesting.
But the story’s not as thrilling as I thought it would be, and there’re unnecessary details that I think the story could definitely be without.
But the story’s not as thrilling as I thought it would be, and there’re unnecessary details that I think the story could definitely be without.
December 12, 2020
This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting but I found it funny and rather touching to read. An enjoyable read with likeable characters 😊
February 4, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
While I found this book fairly cheesy I did enjoy the storyline and grew to like the characters :)
While I found this book fairly cheesy I did enjoy the storyline and grew to like the characters :)
March 29, 2023
As an audiobook, I really enjoyed this! I think if I'd read the physical text, it would have felt too young, but the narrator is so effective!
September 2, 2023
Interesting read. Different from what I have read before but very interesting.
November 10, 2023
A fun blast of adolescent misadventures, marred only by an overly finicky finale and a cast of unlikeable characters.
April 3, 2024
I wasn’t expecting to like this, would definitely recommend
September 7, 2024
Didn’t really enjoyed it. Felt it too dragged and boring. The characters were nice tho
April 13, 2025
Could not finish. Was All over the place and so hard to follow with the way it was laid out and paced.
December 5, 2025
YA isn't my genre, but I quite enjoyed this. Reminded me a lot of where I grew up 😅
November 17, 2014
I remembered seeing Berserk in Borders (when it was still open) about five years ago and being really interested by the pretty ambiguous back cover and also the front. Eyeballs with silhouettes reflected in them really interested me when I was eleven. I'm not sure why. Anyway, I recently came across it again in the City Library and luckily had my library card on me.
Berserk opens with Chas, our narrator, having part of his finger cut off by his best mate, Devil. Lovely. When I first started reading, I kept thinking 'what does this have to do with the story?' It is mentioned quite a few times throughout the book and when the significance of Chas' finger is revealed, I was incredibly impressed because I never would have guessed. I really enjoyed the plot of Berserk, the mysterious and dangerous feel made for an exciting read.
The way I see it, if you want to know what British boys really are like, then you should read this book. Although the action of the story takes place miles away from me, I could easily compare quite a few of the characters to people I actually know. To me, Chas and Devil are your typical British soap opera style trouble-makers. They nick off school, hang around the streets and are always in trouble with the police. I was pleased to know that Chas isn't all bad and actually owns a guilty conscience, unlike Devil who would probably never amount of anything.
I picked up this book without even knowing that it is set in the UK. So when words like 'trainers', 'reckons' and, of course, 'Mum' started appearing I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't read into British fiction in a long time so it was nice to read in a British voice.
Throughout Berserk, I was gripped by the suspense and the occasional macabre moment that made me squirm in delight. Ah, there's nothing like a good bit of violence that makes you grit your teeth. I enjoyed Chas' voice as a narrator, he sounds a lot like the boys that I know. I enjoyed his wit and thoughts that were embedded into the narrative.
Overall, Berserk was gripping, dangerous and full of suspense. It made me squirm at parts and had me up late at night.
Berserk opens with Chas, our narrator, having part of his finger cut off by his best mate, Devil. Lovely. When I first started reading, I kept thinking 'what does this have to do with the story?' It is mentioned quite a few times throughout the book and when the significance of Chas' finger is revealed, I was incredibly impressed because I never would have guessed. I really enjoyed the plot of Berserk, the mysterious and dangerous feel made for an exciting read.
The way I see it, if you want to know what British boys really are like, then you should read this book. Although the action of the story takes place miles away from me, I could easily compare quite a few of the characters to people I actually know. To me, Chas and Devil are your typical British soap opera style trouble-makers. They nick off school, hang around the streets and are always in trouble with the police. I was pleased to know that Chas isn't all bad and actually owns a guilty conscience, unlike Devil who would probably never amount of anything.
I picked up this book without even knowing that it is set in the UK. So when words like 'trainers', 'reckons' and, of course, 'Mum' started appearing I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't read into British fiction in a long time so it was nice to read in a British voice.
Throughout Berserk, I was gripped by the suspense and the occasional macabre moment that made me squirm in delight. Ah, there's nothing like a good bit of violence that makes you grit your teeth. I enjoyed Chas' voice as a narrator, he sounds a lot like the boys that I know. I enjoyed his wit and thoughts that were embedded into the narrative.
Overall, Berserk was gripping, dangerous and full of suspense. It made me squirm at parts and had me up late at night.
January 3, 2015
SPOILERS AHEAD!:
In my opinion, Berserk was a very interesting novel telling a story of a 15 year old juvenile going through trouble after writing to a murderer on Death Row, pretending to be his mum.
The characters in the book had very different personalities and all made a very fascinating group when added altogether.
The main character we have is the troublemaker Chas Parsons who on the inside, actually has heart even though he decided to drive a truck full of food with his friend Devlin (Devil he calls him), almost to hit into a man and his dog. He's your typical bad boy in secondary who hates school and has a massive crush on Devil's sister.
What I really like about him is that he has the kind of sarcastic wit which makes you want to actually kill him for being such an idiot and that he tried to fit in with Devil's bad attitude. Ally Kennen did well on this.
The story had a very good plot but it was all just too much for me. I mean, we were suppose to focus on the fact that he was writing to a killer, not how he tried living through juvenile prison having massive fights and almost setting fire to everything!
But on the other hand, things also had twists. The way Chas' cut off finger played a massive role actually surprised me. The character developments and heart breaking story of his mentally ill mum was touching and it actually made a huge impact.
This was my first ever Ally Kennen book and I hope to read more again. I give this story a three because the language and the way she carefully sculpted a teenager's mind was amazing.
I would recommend this book to all the action lovers out there who enjoy a little bit of deep emotions in the book.
In my opinion, Berserk was a very interesting novel telling a story of a 15 year old juvenile going through trouble after writing to a murderer on Death Row, pretending to be his mum.
The characters in the book had very different personalities and all made a very fascinating group when added altogether.
The main character we have is the troublemaker Chas Parsons who on the inside, actually has heart even though he decided to drive a truck full of food with his friend Devlin (Devil he calls him), almost to hit into a man and his dog. He's your typical bad boy in secondary who hates school and has a massive crush on Devil's sister.
What I really like about him is that he has the kind of sarcastic wit which makes you want to actually kill him for being such an idiot and that he tried to fit in with Devil's bad attitude. Ally Kennen did well on this.
The story had a very good plot but it was all just too much for me. I mean, we were suppose to focus on the fact that he was writing to a killer, not how he tried living through juvenile prison having massive fights and almost setting fire to everything!
But on the other hand, things also had twists. The way Chas' cut off finger played a massive role actually surprised me. The character developments and heart breaking story of his mentally ill mum was touching and it actually made a huge impact.
This was my first ever Ally Kennen book and I hope to read more again. I give this story a three because the language and the way she carefully sculpted a teenager's mind was amazing.
I would recommend this book to all the action lovers out there who enjoy a little bit of deep emotions in the book.
April 17, 2011
Berserk had a really intriguing premise which is what drew me to the book in the first place. I have to say that the summary I read of it doesn’t really give the best idea of what the book is about because I had an idea about what the book would be about but it was completely different.
I still enjoyed it though. The ex convict actually made me think of Hannibal Lector, i.e Anthony Hopkins, and so every time Lenny Darling was mentioned or in it all I could think of was Hannibal Lector. Even though Lenny wasn’t a cannibal or anything like that.
Oftentimes there were events that didn’t seem to be a part of the main story but then they prove to be useful later on in the book which was really cool. I did think that some of the events happened to be a little too convenient but that was what made it interesting to be honest.
Berserk was really interesting. I thought it would be a thriller of sorts but it was more of a contemporary novel with a little bit of action at the end.
The character interactions were all really interesting and they weren’t perfect which is what made their behaviour and interactions all the more believable.
I didn’t think the ending was the best but I did enjoy Berserk enough to say that it is well worth a read if you’re looking for something light that is set in England.
I still enjoyed it though. The ex convict actually made me think of Hannibal Lector, i.e Anthony Hopkins, and so every time Lenny Darling was mentioned or in it all I could think of was Hannibal Lector. Even though Lenny wasn’t a cannibal or anything like that.
Oftentimes there were events that didn’t seem to be a part of the main story but then they prove to be useful later on in the book which was really cool. I did think that some of the events happened to be a little too convenient but that was what made it interesting to be honest.
Berserk was really interesting. I thought it would be a thriller of sorts but it was more of a contemporary novel with a little bit of action at the end.
The character interactions were all really interesting and they weren’t perfect which is what made their behaviour and interactions all the more believable.
I didn’t think the ending was the best but I did enjoy Berserk enough to say that it is well worth a read if you’re looking for something light that is set in England.
October 15, 2012
This is the third Ally Kennen novel I've read so far this year and I'm loving her work. In 'Berserk' we're dealing with the same family as 'Beast', but it's younger brother Chas's turn to be a difficult teenager ... and difficult he is. He decides it'll be cool to make friends with a murderer: not a great idea, but then Chas does lots of stuff that's not so clever. The chaos that follows wherever he goes reflects the chaos of his family. To begin with it's pretty tough stuff and you wonder if Chas can ever make the right choices in life. The problem is, he's a likeable kid: smart, funny, with lots of potential, it's hard to watch his descent into fear, isolation and self destruction. The only good thing in his life is the lovely Lexi, and Chas lusts after her (or her tits and ass at least) as only a love-struck teenager can. Perhaps he'll do the right thing one day ... if only to get in her knickers.
This is a funny but tragic story about bullying, friendships and the dumb things kids do when they're bored and have no role-models. The last third of the story turns into a fast-paced thriller that had me reading through the night. I loved 'Bersek' and I've moved straight on to 'Bedlam' to find out what happens with Lexi next. A highly recommended read: I loaned 'Berserk' to my 11 year old nephew and he read it in one sitting!
This is a funny but tragic story about bullying, friendships and the dumb things kids do when they're bored and have no role-models. The last third of the story turns into a fast-paced thriller that had me reading through the night. I loved 'Bersek' and I've moved straight on to 'Bedlam' to find out what happens with Lexi next. A highly recommended read: I loaned 'Berserk' to my 11 year old nephew and he read it in one sitting!
March 20, 2011
This book, again is one of my favourite books I have ever read. I am really interested in the 'Mystery/Murder' theme, such as reading this book, When I was Joe, Liar and other awesome books. This book is about a boy (Chas) that wants something new in his life, he finds this website that want people to write letters to prisoners. He signs up but finds out he has to be 18 years old or over, so he pretends to be his mum. He finds himself stuck in a situation that he thinks this prisoner may fancy him (well his mother in a way) , and that he is giving to much information away. The prisoner is freed, and is now searching for him. What is he up to?
Anyways, I really enjoyed this book, and I think I will suggest it to some of my friends. It surely deserves 5 stars!
Anyways, I really enjoyed this book, and I think I will suggest it to some of my friends. It surely deserves 5 stars!
July 3, 2016
This book is not the thriller that the cover suggests and being friends with a murderer plays a very minor part in the story. Instead it is more of a 'nothing' book. Chas, the teenage protagonist, isn't always believable and spends too much time incarcerated in a juvenile detention centre, which does nothing for the plot. While the book does have a few thrilling moments near the end, I think may readers will give up before actually reaching them. Gran, in my opinion, is the most likable character - hard as nails on the outside with a heart of marshmallow on the inside, especially where her grandson is concerned. The last page of the book is great (and not because it was the last page). After decoding the clue, it left the reader wondering what was going to happen next.
November 19, 2008
Charlie is a young delinquant who lives with his mother at his grandma's home. One day, he decides that it would be cool to have a correspondant. But any correspondant, a guy on death row! But when he gets his letter, he's quite disappointed : his killers swears he's innocent. Still, when Charlie receives a letter coming not from the prison in Florida but from his hometown here in England, he's quite frightened. especially when the killer starts dating his mother!
Excellent book that shows us, in a very objective awy, the life of a young adult living in a normal poor town in England. Very well written and interesting!
Excellent book that shows us, in a very objective awy, the life of a young adult living in a normal poor town in England. Very well written and interesting!
January 14, 2017
Whoa.
This book made me go whoa.
The whole book is kind of thrilling, but the climax where everything unfolds and the struggle in the buling site is the best part. I kinda got bored during the jail part, but that's okay.
The mystery part was pretty intriguing, and I loved the ending.
Happy endings *sigh*!
This book made me go whoa.
The whole book is kind of thrilling, but the climax where everything unfolds and the struggle in the buling site is the best part. I kinda got bored during the jail part, but that's okay.
The mystery part was pretty intriguing, and I loved the ending.
Happy endings *sigh*!
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